And that potential loss would not have to be a complete disaster. An immediate call to the SEC would put you in line for a bounty which would compensate you (in whole or part) out of the proceeds of any dollar penalties imposed. Your complaint would almost certainly initiate a preliminary investigation and, if the subject of that investigation were prosectued and convicted, you might even be able to recover more in litigation against him. It was he who put you in the position of having to either join him in criminal conspiracy or lose your ability to freely trade your shares. In doing all this, you would not only be protecting your own interests as an investor but striking a blow for market viability and investor confidence in general.